Silylation of Cellulose with Hexamethyldisilazane in Ammonia – Activation, Catalysis, Mechanism, Properties

Abstract

Synthesis of trimethylsilylcellulose (TMSC) from cellulose and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) in liquid ammonia is reviewed, with emphasis on the scope of the reaction and mechanistic features. Conditions for complete and for controlled stoichiometric partial silylation have been established. Stoichiometric desilylation of TMSC is also possible in tetrahydrofuran containing ammonia as hydrogen bond donor. The activating effect of ammonia, solubility of reactants, catalysis and kinetics of the heterogeneous reaction are discussed. Silylation follows first order kinetics in the presence of saccharin as the catalyst, indicating that the accessibility of hydroxy groups is not the rate-determining factor. TMSCs have a solubility window in THF with a DS from 1.6 to 2.6. This window is narrower for higher molecular weight TMSC.